Have You Met This Lovely?

Meet the newest form of "luxury" in my Paleo Lab.

Coconut Oil. 

While it's no new product in the paleo diet community, it's definitely new to me. I've heard so many benefits of this elixir, seen it at Whole Foods & every other organic grocery aisle but take one glance at the price and I'm moving along thinking I can live without it! Seriously, a medium-sized jug of this stuff can cost about $24. This little jar pictured above cost me $10. AND IT'S NOT EVEN PACKED TO THE BRIM! I'm almost sure a gallon of extra virgin olive oil is cheaper than that. 

Don't get scared though. The cost is so worth it. And now, I'm staring at my gallon of e.v.o.o wondering who I could pawn it off to because I don't think I'll ever go back to using it. 

So what's the big deal on coconut oil? Here are some benefits (borrowed from  Living Paleo):

• Supports healthy metabolism
• Supports thyroid function
• Supports heart health
• Strengthens the immune system
• Assists in fat loss (yes, healthy fats will help you lose weight!)
• Improves digestion
• High saturated fat content (great to cook with)
• Helps treat Candida and yeast infections
• Improves cholesterol levels
• Assists in killing off viruses
• Helps kill bacteria
• Has proven anti-tumor effects

But I think one of the benefits I've noticed from using this so far is that there's no mild taste in my food. You know, that weird olive oil taste in your breakfast eggs. Yea, hate that! Which also makes it great for baking things like this: 

Paleo brownie (turned chocolate pie?)... Delicious!

I'm probably the last person on the paleo wagon to be ooohing & aahhing over coconut oil. It really is worth the hefty price tag. Go try it. I'm so glad I did. You won't be disappointed, I promise. Happy Monday & happy healthy cooking!